Granny's Pole Beans

Savor the taste of tradition with Granny's Pole Beans, a comforting Southern side dish brimming with smoky, savory flavor. This recipe features tender fresh pole beans (string beans) slow-simmered to perfection with a smoked ham hock (or turkey leg) in a rich broth of chicken stock, onions, garlic, and butter. The long cooking time allows the beans to absorb the essence of the meat while becoming melt-in-your-mouth tender. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick, making this dish both hearty and flavorful. Perfect as a side for family dinners or paired with warm cornbread, Granny's Pole Beans bring an old-fashioned, soul-satisfying goodness to any meal. Ready in under two hours, this dish is an excellent way to embrace Southern cooking at its finest!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds fresh pole beans (string beans)
• 1 piece smoked ham hock (or smoked turkey leg)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Wash the pole beans thoroughly and trim off both ends. Snap the beans into bite-sized pieces, discarding any tough strings.

Step 2

In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 3

Add the smoked ham hock (or smoked turkey leg) to the pot and pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the pole beans to the pot. Stir gently to combine.

Step 5

Season the beans with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well.

Step 6

Cover the pot with a lid, leaving it slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. Simmer the beans on low heat for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Step 7

Check the doneness of the beans. They should be tender but not mushy and infused with smoky flavor.

Step 8

Remove the ham hock or turkey leg from the pot. If desired, shred the meat from the bone and stir it back into the beans.

Step 9

Taste the dish and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot as a side dish or enjoy with cornbread for a classic Southern meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2736.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1132.5

Total Fat 60.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 228.6mg	0%
Sodium 6798.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 80.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.9g	0%
Total Sugars 19.5g
Protein 76.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 511.5mg	0%
Iron 15.4mg	0%
Potassium 3513.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.7%

Protein: 25.9%

Carbs: 27.4%